IMPROVEMENT OF PASTURES 283 



of each of these plants should be included, but the quantity 

 need not be large unless the location is one where they are 

 not common. Brome grass is also a good pasture plant in 

 this section, and is much reUshed by stock. Its range of 

 usefulness extends westward into the dry sections of Nebraska 

 and the Dakotas. Its use is restricted, because it is difficult 

 to obtain seed free from quack grass. In the South, Bermuda 

 grass is the great pasture plant, though lespedeza, or Japan 

 clover, is also important. In the Great Plains and Rocky 

 INIountain states, the native grasses make up practically 

 all the pastures, and for the most part are more hardy and 

 nutritious than any introduced plants. Alfalfa is used as 

 pasture in a limited way. In various portions of the country, 

 annual pasture plants are sown to some extent. 



362. Improving a Native Pasture. A native pasture, 

 especially in the Eastern and Central states, may often be 

 materially improved by proper treatment and care. Where 

 the ground is rough and there are many hummocks, the use 

 of the disk and smoothing harrows will help to level it and 

 aid in the production of a better stand and more uniform 

 growth. Brush pastures may be improved by removing all 

 or a part of the brush by clearing, firing or pasturing with 

 goats. The latter is perhaps the most economical method, 

 as the goats will clear out the brush and at the same time 

 bring in some return. Disking or harrowing pastures to 

 loosen the surface soil, and then sowing small quantities of 

 seed of good pasture plants such as Kentucky blue grass or 

 white clover, will increase the productiveness of native 

 pastures. Clipping with the mower to prevent weeds from 

 seeding is also a good practice. 



363. The Management of Pastures. In the popular 

 mind, pastures need no care or management. All that is 

 necessary is to turn the stock on in the spring, and the pas- 

 tures will take care of themselves. If a particularly unfavor- 

 able season follows, or if the number of stock is too great for 



